Misi tebus kecewa - Tengku Abdullah

Oleh ZAMZURINA AHMAD
utusanpahang@utusan.com.my

KUANTAN - Kekalahan 1-5 Malaysia kepada Indonesia dalam perlawanan pembukaan Kumpulan A di Jakarta, 1 Disember lalu tidak boleh dijadikan ukuran apabila kedua-dua pasukan berentap sekali lagi pada final Piala Suzuki AFF yang akan berlangsung pada 26 dan 29 Disember ini.

Timbalan Persatuan Bola sepak Malaysia (FAM), Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah mengakui, pasukan negara akan turun sebagai underdog, namun pada masa yang sama beliau yakin kekuatan mental yang dimiliki pemain kita mampu memberi kelebihan.

Katanya, anak-anak buah K. Rajagobal menunjukkan semangat dan mental yang tinggi ketika mengetepikan penyandang juara, Vietnam.

Pada separuh akhir kedua, Malaysia mencatat keputusan seri 0-0 di Hanoi, sekali gus layak ke final dengan agregat 2-0 untuk berdepan Indonesia yang menumpaskan Filipina 1-0, Ahad lalu.

Berdasarkan prestasi skuad negara ketika menentang Vietnam, beliau mendapati Malaysia bermain dengan terlalu bertahan dan keadaan ini mampu mengundang padah jika pemain pertahanan membuat kesilapan semasa menentang Indonesia nanti.

"Bahagian pertahanan dan depan perlu seimbang kerana kita memerlukan jaringan awal dan mencipta sebanyak mungkin gol yang boleh ketika bertemu Indonesia. Kalau boleh lebih banyak daripada lima gol yang kitabolos (pada perlawanan pembukaan).

"Kekalahan 1-5 kepada Indonesia sepatutnya menjadi pengajaran untuk pemain beraksi dengan lebih baik. Saya pasti jurulatih lebih mengetahui apa yang perlu dilakukan," kata Tengku Abdullah ketika ditemui pemberita di Wad Diraja Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) di sini selepas menjalani pembedahan kecil di bahagian hidungnya semalam.

Meskipun dirawat di hospital, Tengku Abdullah berkata, beliau tetap mengikut perkembangan pasukan negara, malah menyaksikan perlawanan menentang Vietnam secara langsung dari katilnya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau turut berharap pemain dapat menggunakan peluang beraksi di halaman sendiri dengan sebaik-baiknya.

"Saya bangga dengan pemain kerana boleh menahan tekanan daripada penyokong Vietnam baru-baru ini dan mereka seharusnya mengekalkan kekuatan mental yang sama apabila berhadapan dengan penyokong Indonesia di Jakarta nanti (29 Disember)," katanya lagi.

Selain kecergasan fizikal, Tengku Abdullah berkata, pemain juga perlu memiliki kekuatan mental untuk berjaya.

Selain itu, beliau turut memuji taktikal bijak yang dimiliki rata-rata barisan muda negara dan berharap ia akan memberi kelebihan kepada anak-anak buah Rajagobal untuk menangani Indonesia.

Pertahanan Indonesia rapuh

Oleh FERZALFIE FAUZI
ferzalfie.fauzi@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR - Penyerang kebangsaan, Safee Sali semalam mendedahkan, benteng pertahanan merupakan kelemahan terbesar Indonesia dan ia tidak sehebat jentera serangan mereka.

Safee, 26, menegaskan, selepas gagal meledakkan gol ketika kita kalah 1-5 kepada skuad Merah Putih itu pada saingan peringkat kumpulan, dia begitu bersemangat untuk membocori gawang mereka dan membuktikan ia tidak kebal apabila kedua-dua pasukan berentap dalam dua perlawanan final timbal balik 26 dan 29 Disember ini.

"Inilah peluang terbaik untuk kita membalas dendam. Kekalahan 1-5 sudah banyak mengajar pemain dan kali ini kami bertekad untuk bangkit membenam Indonesia, seterusnya menjulang Piala Suzuki AFF 2010," katanya.

Jelasnya, kesemua pemain sudah sedar akan situasi sekarang dan tekad tidak mengulangi kesilapan lalu, malah menegaskan semangat untuk menewaskan Indonesia begitu berkobar-berkobar.

"Saya sedar ramai yang meletakkan harapan tinggi kepada saya tetapi saya mahu menyahut cabaran ini dengan menjaringkan gol, saya langsung tidak rasa tertekan dan rakan segandingan Norshahrul Idlan Talaha sudah pasti akan memainkan peranannya dengan baik.

"Jika banyak bantuan diberikan kepada saya, sudah pasti peluang untuk menjaringkan gol sangat terbuka, saya juga mengharapkan ketua pasukan, Safiq Rahim juga mampu merencanakan serangan dengan baik," kata penyerang Selangor itu.

Safee berkata, tidak ada sebarang kelemahan yang ketara di dalam pasukan Malaysia sekarang ini kecuali ketika mengambil sepakan percuma dan sudut, di mana tidak ada pemain yang mampu menyudahkannya melalui tandukan tajam.

"Kekuragan kita setakat ini adalah pada situasi bola mati, jika kita mempunyai pemain yang boleh menyambut sepakan percuma dan sudut dengan baik melalui tandukan sudah pasti pasukan ini serba lengkap.

"Oleh itu saya dan rakan-rakan sedang berusaha untuk memantapkan lagi strategi sepakan percuma dan sudut, malah salah satu cara yang digunakan sekarang ini ialah melalui sepakan pendek," katanya.

Tambahnya, bekalan selesa juga perlu dibawa ke Indonesia sama seperti yang mereka lakukan ketika menentang Vietnam di separuh akhir.

Justeru, misi utama dia dan rakan-rakan adalah mencari sebanyak mungkin gol daripada pertama pertama di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil Ahad ini.

Safee setakat ini menjaringkan dua gol dan kedua-duanya disumbangkan pada perlawanan separuh akhir kedua menentang Vietnam.

Dia berpeluang untuk mencatatkan nama sebagai penjaring terbanyak dalam kejohanan ini jika meledakkan gol pada saingan akhir.

LONDON, Dec 21 — Andy Wood, a key figure in English badminton for the past decade, has quit just four months after being appointed again as Great Britain head coach.

His decision is another unhappy piece of news for the sport in Britain, coming 11 days after its budget for the next two years was cut by more than £540,000 (RM2.6 million), about 14 per cent, by UK Sport following a failure to reach tournament targets.

Wood's departure means he will miss out on Britain's bid to land badminton Olympic gold on home territory at London 2012, having helped Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms to Olympic silver in 2004 and Simon Archer and Jo Goode to bronze in 2000.

"Having headed the GB team at the last three Olympics, Andy's extensive experience will be sadly missed and I wish him every success with the next stages of his career," Badminton England chief executive Adrian Christy said in a media release. — Reuters

CAIRO, Dec 21 — Cameroon and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o set a new landmark for individual success in African football yesterday after being named the continent's Footballer of the Year for a record fourth time.

The 2010 award came five years after his last triumph and capped a year of unprecedented club success in which he also extended his scoring record at the African Nations Cup finals.

The Cameroon captain finished ahead of Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba and Asamoah Gyan of Ghana in the polling for Africa's top individual prize, awarded at the Confederation of African Football's awards gala in Cairo.

"It is a pleasure to be a winner again, to take it for the fourth time against such top opposition," Eto'o told a news conference after the ceremony.

"It is true now that Africa has so many good players and there is lots of talent coming up, so this might be a last chance for me."

Eto'o was African Footballer of the Year from 2003-05 and his fourth award surpasses the three titles won by Abedi Pele in the early 1990s.

Eto'o's goal-scoring form helped Inter Milan to a triple of titles last season, including the Uefa Champions League in which the 29-year-old took a winner's medal for a second successive year.

He scored on Saturday as the Italians beat African champions TP Mazembe Englebert in the Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi.

Eto'o scored twice at the Nations Cup in Angola in January to stretch his tournament record tally of goals to 18. He also netted at the World Cup finals but later described Cameroon's poor performance in South Africa as the biggest disappointment of his career. — Reuters

MADRID: A brilliant finish by Argentine attacker Angel Di Maria gave 10-man Real Madrid a 1-0 win at home to Sevilla in a scrappy and tense clash at Santiago Bernabeu this morning.

With 15 minutes remaining Di Maria finished from a tight angle, a rare highlight in a poor encounter which ended with both sides were down with 10 men after Sevilla midfielder Mouhamadou Dabo was given his marching orders for a wild kick at the match-winner.

Real had toiled in a match where they barely created a meaningful opportunity before losing centreback Ricardo Carvalho to a red card in the 63rd minute when he picked up a second yellow for a stray elbow on striker Alvaro Negredo.

That "sense of injustice" spurred Real, as they dominated the latter stages and grabbed what was ultimately a deserved winner in a match more notable for constant flare-ups than good football.

The win, obviously not a classic in the style of Real but very typical of Jose Mourinho, cuts bitter rivals Barcelona's lead on top back to two points.

Sevilla, on the other hand, have now lost five on the trot and lie 11th after their promising start to the season was derailed last month.

Aside from the two dismissals, referee Carlos Clos Gomez also showed 12 yellow cards — nine to Real players while the backroom staff on the two benches also vented their anger at each other towards the end of the first half which also saw an official being pushed down.

And after the match, an upset Mourinho wants Real to help him tackle referees.

"There were 13 serious mistakes by the referee," said Mourinho, while waving a piece of paper with the incidents typed on them.

"I don't feel under pressure when I am doing what I like doing, and I like to coach. I am tired of this. My team need to be defended. If I say what I think, I will be on the front pages tomorrow and I will be suspended.

"There are a club and structure and I want them to defend my team from there.

"Mourinho indicated someone had prepared the list for him and that he needed others from within the club to take up the issue so that he did not pick up a punishment. He also said he wanted to have a private meeting with Real president Florentino Perez.

"I have a good personal relationship with the club, even though we think differently," said the Portuguese.

Mourinho has already served a two-match ban for being sent off in the Copa Del Rey after showing contempt to a referee, and picked up another ban in the Champions League.

He was fined and suspended after allegations that he had engineered deliberate red cards for two of his players in their Champions League match at Ajax last month.

Carvalho picked up a second yellow card when he clashed heads with Alvaro Negredo as they jumped for a high ball.

"The game was forgettable," said Mourinho.

"It was too ugly. I wouldn't have paid anything to watch it. At home, I would have put Eurosport on to watch one in Vietnam."

LONDON: Barcelona are reportedly plotting a €100 million (RM413.1m) splurge to sign Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas (pic, back facing) and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres (pic).

The Catalan giants are thought to have received a significant boost in flexing their financial muscle through their recent shirt sponsorship deal, and Daily Mirror claimed this will enable them to go after the two Premier League superstars.

Fabregas has been linked with a move back to Nou Camp for a few seasons now, and seemed to be close to joining them last summer.

However, he was persuaded to continue plying his trade with the Gunners after a discussion with manager Arsene Wenger.

But it has now been reported that the midfielder may not remain at Ashburton Grove if Barca come calling once more.

Torres has had a hit-and-miss season so far at Liverpool, and is also thought to be on Real Madrid's radar.

But it is said that being a former Atletico Madrid player would make him disinclined to make a move to Santiago Bernabeu.

Barca remain on top of the table as the Primera Liga takes a winter break when they outplayed high-flying Espanyol 5-1 in a Catalan derby at Corella — El Prat on Saturday.

Eapanyol, prior to this match, had won all their seven home matches.

The game was sadly tarnished by some racist chanting from a portion of the Espanyol fans — directed at Barca rightback Dani Alves.

However, the Brazilian refused to be shaken by the actions of a mindless few.

"I didn't even notice it," he told Marca.

"Anyway, I would never leave the pitch based on an insult."

Alves also commented on his side's ambitions to beat Real o the league title.

When told that Real boss Jose Mourinho gave his last season a score of 11 out of 10, Alves said, "Then we'll manage 12! It's a nice touch, outstanding. I respect people with high levels of self-esteem."

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Former India cricket coach John Wright has replaced Mark Greatbatch as New Zealand's national coach as New Zealand Cricket attempts to stem one of its worst international losing streaks.

Captain Daniel Vettori has also been stripped of some of his selection powers in restructuring announced Monday after an NZC review of series losses to Bangladesh and India.

New Zealand's 4-0 series loss to Bangladesh and 5-0 defeat to India took to 11 its losing streak in one-day internationals, approaching its record 13 straight losses in the mid-1990s.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said New Zealand's recent win-loss record was unacceptable.

"The changes being made are a direct result of that process and should make a real difference," he said.

Vaughan said Greatbatch would chair an independent selection panel which would include former New Zealand cricketers Glenn Turner and Lance Cairns. Wright and Vettori would have a say in the selection process but Vettori will no longer hold a place on the selection panel.

The coach and captain would continue to make selections while the New Zealand team is on tour. Greatbatch will also remain batting coach within New Zealand Cricket's high-performance program.

Wright will take over the role immediately ahead of New Zealand's home series against Pakistan which begins with a Twenty20 match on Dec. 26. The teams will meet in two tests, three Twenty20s and six one-day matches.

Wright played 82 tests and 149 one-day internationals as an opening batsman for New Zealand between 1978 and 1993 and coached India from 2000 to 2005.

During his time as coach, he led India to a 2-1 home test series win over Australia, a test series win over Pakistan and to the final of the 2003 World Cup. He was replaced in May, 2005 by Australian Greg Chappell.

NORCROSS, Georgia (AP) - Americans Ryan Harrison and Lauren Davis have won wild cards into the Australian Open.

Harrison beat Jack Sock 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4 in the USTA's wild-card playoff. He lost in the first round last year in the Australian Open after winning the USTA wild card.

Davis beat Coco Vandeweghe 6-2, 6-2 to earn a spot in the women's draw.

On Sunday in Melbourne, Olivia Rogowska beat former world No. 4 Jelena Dokic 1-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 in an Australian wild-card playoff. In the men's final for a wild card, Marinko Matosevic beat Peter Luczak 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

The Australian Open will be held from Jan. 17-30.

Safee mahu lebur gawang Markus

Oleh WAN FAKHRUL BAKAR
fakhrul@kosmo.com.my

SAFEE mahu menamatkan kekebalan penjaga gol, Indonesia pada final pertama di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil Ahad ini.

---

HANYA dua pemain, iaitu penyerang Malaysia, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha dan pertahanan Thailand, Suree Sukha berjaya membolosi kekebalan penjaga gol Indonesia, Markus Harison Rihihina sepanjang kempen Piala AFF Suzuki 2010 setakat ini.

Namun statistik itu langsung tidak membimbangkan penyerang utama Malaysia, Safee Sali yang mahu meleburkan rekod cemerlang penjaga gawang Indonesia berusia 29 tahun itu.

Malah Safee, 26, turut menganggap benteng pertahanan Indonesia tidaklah begitu kuat untuk dibolosinya pada aksi final timbal balik di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil pada Ahad ini dan di Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta pada Rabu depan.

"Pentas final ini merupakan peluang terbaik Malaysia setelah kita tewas 1-5 kepada Indonesia pada aksi sulung 1 Disember lalu.

"Saya tahu harapan yang diletakkan di bahu saya cukup tinggi selepas saya menjaringkan dua gol ketika menewaskan Vietnam 2-0 di Bukit Jalil minggu lalu.

PENJAGA gol Indonesia, Markus (kiri) tampil dengan aksi cemerlang setakat ini.

"Apa pun saya mengharapkan sokongan daripada rakan sepasukan lain terutama Norshahrul. Tidak kiralah siapa yang menjaringkan gol, yang penting Malaysia berjaya mengatasi Indonesia.

"Bagi saya, pertahanan Indonesia tidaklah begitu kebal sebenarnya kerana saya tak nampak keistimewaan mereka di posisi tersebut berbanding jentera serangan mereka," kata Safee.

Setakat ini, penyerang utama Indonesia yang 'diimport' dari Uruguay, Cristian Gonzales mendahului senarai penjaring terbanyak dengan tiga gol.

Namun Safee, Norshahrul dan penyerang gantian Malaysia, Amri Yahyah masih berpeluang bergelar penjaring terbanyak apabila masing-masing sudah menyumbat dua gol.

Turut berpeluang, lima pemain Indonesia yang juga sudah menjaringkan dua gol iaitu Irfan Bachdim, Bambang Pamungkas, Muhammad Ridwan, Arif Suyono dan Firman Utina.

'Malaysia pasukan underdog'

Oleh HAFIZ ABBAS
mohdhafiz.abbas@kosmo.com.my

BARISAN pemain Malaysia yang akan berentap pada final Piala AFF Suzuki 2010 menentang Indonesia.

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KEKALAHAN 1-5 kepada Indonesia pada perlawanan pembukaan Kumpulan A di Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta 1 Disember lalu tidak boleh dijadikan ukuran kerana skuad negara akan turun sebagai pasukan underdog apabila kedua-dua pasukan berentap pada final Kejohanan Bola Sepak Piala AFF Suzuki 2010 pada Ahad ini dan 29 Disember ini.

Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (gambar kecil) berkata, kekalahan yang dialami oleh skuad bola sepak negara sebelum ini seharusnya dijadikan pengajaran buat para pemain agar lebih berhati-hati dan komited pada pertemuan 'ulangan' ini.

Tengku Abdullah memberitahu, baginda yakin dengan keupayaan pemain negara dan amat berbangga dengan kekuatan mental yang dipamerkan ketika mereka beraksi di hadapan penonton Vietnam pada perlawanan separuh akhir kedua, Sabtu lalu.

Pada perlawanan itu, Malaysia mencatat keputusan seri 0-0 dengan Vietnam, sekali gus melayakkan diri ke final dengan agregat 2-0 dan akan menentang Indonesia yang berjaya menumpaskan Filipina 1-0 Ahad lalu.

Tengku Abdullah berkata, berdasarkan prestasi skuad negara ketika menentang Vietnam, beliau mendapati Malaysia bermain terlalu bertahan dan ia boleh membawa padah jika pemain pertahanan membuat kesilapan semasa menentang Indonesia nanti.

"Bahagian pertahanan dan hadapan perlu seimbang kerana kita memerlukan gol awal.

Kita perlu menjaringkan sebanyak yang boleh ketika bertemu Indonesia, dan jika boleh lebih banyak daripada lima gol yang kita bolos kepada Indonesia (pada perlawanan pembukaan lalu).

"Kekalahan 1-5 kepada Indonesia sepatutnya menjadi pengajaran yang baik dan untuk mereka bermain dengan lebih baik, saya pasti jurulatih (K.Rajagobal) lebih mengetahui apa yang perlu dilakukan seterusnya," kata Tengku Abdullah ketika ditemui pemberita di Wad Diraja Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) Kuantan malam kelmarin selepas menjalani pembedahan kecil di bahagian hidung, Jumaat lalu.

Tambah Tengku Abdullah, baginda menyaksikan perlawanan tersebut secara langsung menerusi televisyen dari katilnya di hospital berkenaan.

Dalam pada itu, baginda berharap agar para pemain dapat menggunakan peluang sebaik-baiknya apabila beraksi di halaman sendiri pada hari Ahad ini untuk meraih kemenangan.

"Saya berbangga dengan para pemain kerana boleh menahan tekanan daripada penyokong Vietnam (baru-baru ini) dan mereka seharusnya mengekalkan ujian mental sebegitu apabila berhadapan dengan penyokong Indonesia di Jakarta kelak (29 Disember).

Baginda berkata, selain daripada kecergasan fizikal, pemain juga perlu memiliki kekuatan mental untuk berjaya.

"Skuad negara telah membuktikan mereka mencapai tahap kekuatan mental yang tinggi di Vietnam, bermain tanpa rasa takut dan gentar. Jadi mereka kini perlu mengekalkannya dengan penuh keazaman," katanya.

THEY had been written off after a first-game debacle but the Malaysian Tigers now eye the big prize after an amazing turnaround.

Eliminating the AFF Suzuki Cup defending champions, Vietnam, is no mean feat and the battling national side fully deserve the praise they are getting.

They chased every ball, shadowed every Vietnam move, absorbed all the pressure and at the final whistle, trooped off the My Dinh Stadium pitch with heads held high after completing a 2-0 semi-final aggregate success.

"We always believe we could reach the final, we had the confidence to do it even though we had a bad start to the tournament," said skipper Safiq Rahim in referring to the 5-1 mauling by Indonesia in a Group A match in Jakarta on Dec 1.

"Now that we are in the final, we want to go on and win the trophy. We have to make the home ground advantage for the first leg (on Dec 26) count."

Prior to the semi-finals, coach K. Rajagobal stressed on carrying out the game-plan to the letter and the Malaysian players certainly stuck to the script with a dogged performance.

Centre-backs Muslim Ahmad and Fadhli Shas, aged 21 and 19 respectively, played with maturity beyond their years and were ably supported by full-backs Sabre Mat Abu and Asraruddin Putra Omar.

Safiq curbed his offensive instinct to provide cover for the back-four, hacking away anything that Vietnam could come up with as Malaysia made the final for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1996.

And when the defence was breached, there was the excellent Khairul Fahmi to save the day, denying Nguyen Viet Thang's point-blank header in the second half to ensure his third clean-sheet in four matches.

"That was just instinct. I was a bit lucky it came straight at me," said Khairul Fahmi, the youngest goalkeeper in the tournament at 21, of his crucial save.

"They were coming at us like crazy but we hung in there and the defenders were superb. We are all very happy and now we can't wait to create history by winning the trophy for the first time."

The ever-modest Muslim, whose aerial challenges frustrated Vietnam's attackers over the two legs, said the entire team deserved credit for reaching the final.

"I just did what the coach asked me to do. I had to pay special attention to one or two of their players and that is what I did.

"But the whole team did well, it was a team effort," said centre-back, who credited his two Slovakia stints with the Young Tigers for his fine performance in Hanoi.

SAN ANTONIO: San Antonio's NBA winning streak only just survived a strong Memphis challenge on Saturday, with Tony Parker scoring 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to give the Spurs a 112-106 win over the Grizzlies.

Parker was 15 for 21 from the field, putting up a season high while scoring nine of San Antonio's final 10 points in regulation. His 8-footer with 1:01 left in overtime also helped seal a third straight down-to-the-wire Spurs victory, and their eighth straight overall.

l In Milwaukee, Utah overcame a double-digit deficit for the ninth time this season and overhauled Milwaukee 95-86.

The Jazz shook off a season-low 71 points in their previous game to surge home after falling behind by 12 early.

Deron Williams scored 22 points and added 11 assists, while Al Jefferson added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz.

l In Washington, Miami survived a fright from lowly Washington to notch a 12th straight win by 95-94.

LeBron James had 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists. James and Chris Bosh got away with contact on Kirk Hinrich on a potential game-winning layup, letting the Heat edge the last-place Wizards, who nearly pulled off the upset without injured No 1 pick John Wall and the just-traded Gilbert Arenas.

l In Orlando, Lou Williams scored 24 points as Philadelphia beat an Orlando team in the midst of a major roster change 97-89.

Andre Iguodala had 21 points for the 76ers.

The Magic had only eight players available after two major trades earlier in the day. They acquired troubled guard Gilbert Arenas from Washington, and Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson from Phoenix.

l In Cleveland, Mo Williams scored 23 points, including the tying basket late in regulation and six points in overtime, as Cleveland snapped a 10-game losing streak by beating New York 109-102.

Antawn Jamison, who added 21 points, and Anderson Varejao each made two baskets in the extra session as Cleveland broke their longest losing streak since 2002-03.

l In Chicago, Los Angeles stopped Chicago's seven-game winning streak in a thrilling 100-99 finish.

Chicago guard Derrick Rose, fouled with 0.8 seconds remaining as he drove to the basket, hit the first free throw but missed the second with a chance to tie.

l In Denver, the hosts overcame Kevin Love's career-high 43-point performance in a narrow 115-113 victory over Minnesota.

Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and had a key block while Ty Lawson added 23 points to deal the short-handed Timberwolves their 11th straight road loss.

l In Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points and 12 rebounds as Portland held off Golden State 96-95.

Monta Ellis, who led the Warriors with 26 points, had a chance to win it but his 20-foot jumper with 0.8 seconds left was off. -- AP

Komen Anda

Terima kasih diatas penyertaan anda. Berita Harian berhak untuk tidak memaparkan sebarang komen yang menyentuh isu-isu sensitif dan yang berbentuk iklan komersil. Alamat IP anda akan direkodkan dan mungkin digunakan untuk menghalang penghantaran komen seterusnya jika melanggar peraturan yang ditetapkan.

Senarai komen

Sukan

HABUAN lumayan RM9,000 menunggu setiap pemain bola sepak negara andai menjuarai Piala Suzuki AFF buat julung kali dengan jumlah berkenaan mungkin meningkat sebelum final timbal balik pertama di tempat sendiri pada 26 Disember ini.

Sejumlah RM88,200 bagi Tabung Akujanji Ganjaran Piala AFF 2010 sudah dikutip sehingga semalam oleh Persatuan Penulis-penulis Sukan Malaysia (SAM) atas inisiatif Kementerian Belia dan Sukan selepas kerajaan sudah berjanji menyumbang RM5,000 kepada setiap pemain jika berjaya melepasi final timbal balik pada 26 dan 29 Disember ini.

"Ini adalah jumlah dijanjikan jika muncul juara," kata menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Shabery Cheek, semalam. "Ganjaran diberi berdasarkan skim Shakam Sukan Sea. RM5,000 kepada setiap pemain kerana meraih pingat emas. Jumlah ini sama di peringkat Asean. Syarikat swasta menjanjikan ganjaran kepada pemain."

Dia menambah: "Rakyat harus memberi sumbangan sebagai tanda penghargaan kepada pemain mengharumkan nama negara." Sumbangan ini dikelolakan SAM dan akan dipaparkan dalam akhbar.

KAPTEN skuad kebangsaan, Mohd Safiq Rahim percaya impian untuk bergelar juara Piala Suzuki AFF bukan lagi sesuatu yang mustahil selepas mengetuai rakan-rakannya mara ke perlawanan akhir dengan menyingkirkan juara bertahan, Vietnam pada separuh akhir, kelmarin.

Perancang tengah berusia 23 tahun itu kini semakin yakin skuad itu bakal mencipta satu lagi sejarah bola sepak tempatan selepas anak buah K Rajagobal mengakhiri penantian 20 tahun pingat emas Sukan Sea dan mara ke pusingan kedua Sukan Asia selepas tempoh 32 tahun.

"Kami cuma perlu mengekalkan prestasi terbaik pada dua perlawanan akhir Ahad dan Rabu depan selain membaiki kelemahan yang ada sepanjang kejohanan ini iaitu sejak perlawanan pertama.

"Walaupun sasaran awal adalah separuh akhir, kerja keras serta kerjasama berpasukan akhirnya membuahkan hasil untuk menamatkan penantian 14 tahun mara ke perlawanan akhir," katanya.

Pada separuh akhir kedua di Stadium Nasional MyDinh, Hanoi, Malaysia mengamalkan corak permainan bertahan sepanjang 90 minit kerana sedar Vietnam pastinya memburu gol awal untuk mencetus semangat selepas Malaysia menang 2-0 di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil, Rabu lalu.

"Vietnam dijangka menyerang habis-habisan menyebabkan kami mengamalkan corak bertahan supaya tidak membenarkan mereka menjaringkan gol.

"Walaupun ramai pemain muda dalam skuad ini, kami berjaya mengekang asakan jentera serangan Vietnam yang kebanyakannya berpengalaman bermain di peringkat ini," katanya.

Usaha bertahan Malaysia akhirnya membuahkan hasil apabila tiada gol dijaringkan lawan yang mendapat beberapa peluang terbaik namun dinafikan kecekalan barisan pertahanan negara serta kecekapan penjaga gol, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

IMPIAN menggunung jutaan rakyat Malaysia dan pemain kebangsaan untuk menentang Indonesia pada perlawanan akhir Piala Suzuki AFF bagi menyempurnakan misi membalas dendam kekalahan memalukan di peringkat kumpulan akhir tercapai.

Indonesia mengesahkan kemaraan ke pentas akhir apabila menyingkirkan Filipina 1-0 menerusi jaringan tunggal Christian Gonzales pada perlawanan separuh akhir kedua di Stadium Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta semalam dan mara dengan keputusan agregat, 2-0.

Ketua jurulatih kebangsaan, K Rajagobal yang turut mengimpikan pertemuan itu bagaimanapun enggan menganggapnya sebagai perlawanan membalas dendam selepas dimalukan 5-1 pada perlawanan pertama peringkat kumpulan A, awal bulan ini.

"Saya teruja menanti perlawanan ini. Hanya pemain yang dapat tentukan perasaan mereka apabila bertemu di perlawanan akhir," katanya.

Rajagobal bagaimanapun berkata, Indonesia pasti tidak akan mengambil mudah final itu kerana menyedari permainan dipamer skuad kebangsaan ketika perlawanan awal bukanlah corak dan tahap kemampuan sebenar.

"Malah jurulatih Indonesia, Alfred Riedl berjumpa dengan saya selepas perlawanan itu dan berkata ia bukanlah jumlah jaringan yang sepatutnya," jelasnya.

Namun, sebagai jurulatih, Rajagobal tidak dapat menyembunyikan hasratnya untuk skuad kebangsaan menjuarai kejohanan utama bola sepak di rantau Asia Tenggara ini buat kali pertama.

"Inilah peluang terbaik. Kesempatan ini harus digunakan sebaik mungkin kerana kita tidak tahu bila lagi mendapat peluang keemasan seperti ini," katanya.

Bekas jurulatih Selangor dan Kelantan itu juga percaya kejayaan menumbangkan juara bertahan itu mengubah senario kejohanan itu dan berdasarkan persembahan yang dipamer, barisan pemain muda negara memang layak untuk berada di perlawanan akhir.

"Kunci kejayaan kita adalah disiplin pemain yang tinggi, mengikut arahan jurulatih serta kemahuan untuk pergi ke peringkat lebih tinggi," jelasnya.

Bagi pemain kebangsaan, mereka pastinya gembira dengan kejayaan Indonesia bagi menebus kembali maruah negara selepas dipersendakan dengan corak permainan pantas negara jiran itu di Stadium Gelora Bung Karno, 1 Disember lalu.

Indonesia bagaimanapun harus dihormati apabila mencatat kemenangan dalam semua perlawanan sejak peringkat kumpulan A dengan menjaringkan 15 gol dan hanya dua bolos manakala Malaysia muncul naib juara kumpulan sama meraih empat mata (satu menang dan satu seri) sebelum menyingkirkan Vietnam 2-0 di separuh akhir secara agregat.

Final berlangsung timbal balik bermula Ahad ini dengan Malaysia menjadi tuan rumah di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil, Ahad ini sebelum berkunjung ke Stadium Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta Rabu depan untuk menentukan juara Piala Suzuki AFF edisi kelapan.